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Job opportunities are expected to be excellent in the coming years for nurses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the healthcare sector of the economy is continuing to grow, despite significant job losses in nearly all major industries. A nursing shortage looms as enrollment in nursing schools decline and fewer graduates choose nursing as their career. The employment for certified nursing assistants (CNA), like nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants will grow 19 percent, faster than the average for all occupations, predominantly in response to the long-term care needs of an increasing elderly population. 279,600 CNA nursing jobs are expected to be added over the next several years. The field of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is expected to grow by 21% until 2018, adding 155,600 new jobs in the next several years. The market for registered nurses is expected to grow by 22% until 2018, adding 581,500 new jobs in the next several years.

Specifically, Kentucky is projected to not fill its need for nurses through 2015, lacking 2% of the nursing workforce needed.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN):
An APRN, as the name indicates, is an advance practice nurse, and must complete the requirements for an Registered Nurse (RN) as well as an approved

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA):
Nursing and psychiatric aide training is offered in high schools, vocational-technical centers, some nursing care facilities, and some community colleges. Federal government requirements exist for nursing aides who work in nursing care facilities. These aides must complete a minimum of 75 hours of state-approved training and pass a competency evaluation. Aides who complete the program are known as certified nurse assistants (CNAs) and are placed on the state registry of nurse aides.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA):CRNA’s must have a BSN (bachelor of science in nursing), a license as a RN (registered nurse), and a minimum of one year of acute care nursing experience. A master’s degree is not required before entering a CRNA program, but most nurse anesthetist programs are graduate programs yielding a MSN (Master’s in Nursing.)

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN):LPNs must complete a state-approved training program in practical nursing to be eligible for licensure. A high school diploma or its equivalent usually is required for entry, although some programs accept candidates without a diploma. The National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-PN, is required in order to obtain licensure as an LPN.

Nurse Practitioner (NP):Nurse practitioners are known as advanced practice nurses, and must complete the path to registered nursing (a bachelor’s degree, an associate degree, and a diploma from an approved nursing program) as well as a

Registered Nurse (RN):
There are three typical educational paths to registered nursing—a <a href=“http://nursinglink.monster.com/content/education-resources’s of science degree in nursing (BSN), an ”http://nursinglink.monster.com/content/education-resources">associate degree in nursing (ADN), and a diploma. In all states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, students must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass a national licensing examination, known as the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN, in order to obtain a nursing license.

The College Network
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Walden University School of Nursing
All online nursing programs are designed to help professionals gain the knowledge they need to have a real impact in their lives and the lives of others.